Contax 645 Review - Is it worth it?

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An in-depth review of the highly coveted Contax 645 camera covering the Zeiss Lenses, Negatives, Film Back, Inserts, How to Load, Double Exposures, , Battery, Extras/Accessories- Polaroid Back, Lens Hood, Strap lugs, Battery grip, Maxwell Screen, AutoFocus, Where to buy one, how much, Is it worth it, and Comparable cameras.
I love the photography community cause there's always way more knowledgable people out there than me. I'll start a list of corrections to my review below:
- It's a curtain shutter, not a leaf shutter.
- The 80mm lens is closer to 46mm in exact comparison to a 35mm sensor.
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Опубликовано:

3 ноя 2019

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Комментарии : 114

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Is it worth it? AGREE? DISAGREE? Let's hear it below!

@mattanderson354 3 года назад

Loved the video. Great to hear about the contax 645 and see a bit of my home city at the same time. Thanks!

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

Thanks so much!!

@DarrylCarey 4 года назад

Great video Tony, now I have to look for a Contax 645!

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Thank you! DO IT! Join the Contax 645 film photography group in the comments. Typically lots of cameras in there for sale. There are a couple other links in the comments you can check out too like Pro Camera.

@camerachica73 4 года назад

I have this camera and I LOVE IT!!!! It's the most passionate I've ever been about a camera and I take it on all my travels - the images are worth the size & weight. It does have its electronic quirks, but so far so good...

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

camerachica73 yep totally. Love this camera so much!!

@joeldidier 4 года назад

YO! keep making videos tony. I'm just sitting on so many rolls of film but watching these makes me want to go shoot them haha.

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

YESS!!! Get out there and shoot some film! Always so refreshing and energizing for me.

@Theeuanshields 4 года назад

Such a cool camera. I personally use the hasselblad h2 mostly because I can still get it serviced and the possibility of getting a digital back at some point. If you ever want to try it and give it a review I’ll happily send it over to you! Keep up the awesome videos

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Euan Shields that’s so rad. Thanks so much for the offer. It would be awesome to get a digital back. I’ve never tried one. I appreciate you watching the video! 🙌🏼

@brauliofontanez 4 года назад

Nice and clean videos..no bad mouth wording to get your point and vision to your audience, Many Blessings to you and your family.

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Thanks so much! 🙌

@Lesterandsons 3 года назад

I want it to look it on a shelf. Beautifull deign. Big grip is such a good concept. Lacks a digital back

@danielgebert4556 4 года назад

Great vid, thanks. Seems like your channel could really take off. I love that you don’t have that ‘fake enthusiasm’. I think if you tightened up this vid by 30-40% it would be a real gem. Cheers!

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Daniel Gebert “If you want me to give you a two-hour presentation, I am ready today. If you want only a five-minute speech, it will take me two weeks to prepare.” mark twain Hahahaha. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the feedback. Definitely an opportunity to improve.

@BretMiller 2 года назад

As a content creator myself, I think you should make your videos as long as you want to make them. I have made unboxing videos with lots of discussion that are 25 minutes long. Sure some people complain that they are too long but lots of other people like them. So I say make them as long as you want. Someone can always skip around or click off if they don't like it but for the viewer who wants more, more is always better.

@andrewward7042 7 месяцев назад

Nice photo of Haystack Rock. I love Canon Beach.

@TonyWodarck 7 месяцев назад

Thanks! Such a beautiful spot.

@michael-laurenberry8188 4 года назад

Hi Tony, I am renting a Contax 645 with Zeiss lens for a couple days to test it out & I noticed the focusing is very different in regards to focus points. Can you focus & recompose, move focus points, or are you only able to get the mid focus point with this lens & camera set? Thank you & enjoyed watching!

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Michael- Lauren Berry if you focus and then recompose your shot will most likely be blurry. Especially shooting wide open. That’s why I went for the maxwell screen. It brightens up the whole screen so you can manually focus subjects not in the center of your viewfinder. You can only AF using the center.

@TheOliveBungalow 8 месяцев назад

Always appreciate your videos, Tony! Learned a ton here. Just picked up one from B&H. Random Q, but any idea how to fix the "eeee" error?

@TonyWodarck 8 месяцев назад

Thanks! Taking out the battery and putting it back in usually fixes it.

@TheOliveBungalow 8 месяцев назад

@@TonyWodarck Thanks Tony! That did the trick but we had to wait like 10 minutes with the battery out and it kept coming back every 3 shutters. I think we're going to return it and try another haha

@rhodahill7667 3 года назад

Does anyone know what this camera retailed for when it first came out? I've been trying to find that info and can't seem to find it.

@revaaron 3 года назад

I bought the Contax 645 on a whim in 2008 and it was the best. whenever I shoot with the 120mm at f/4, I'm never disappointed. the best lens.

@revaaron 3 года назад

instagram.com/p/B4kzEktpnnq/

@revaaron 3 года назад

instagram.com/p/B4ky8mxJH9G/

@revaaron 3 года назад

I just wish there were a tiltshift plate from contax like the one from mamiya. I might get a rz67 to use that. Then rz67 + 110 vs contax + 80mm

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

Aaron Pepelis please tell me you have the 80mm too!?!

@revaaron 3 года назад

@@TonyWodarck yeah, 80, 45, 120, and 210.

@romain.bordeaux 4 года назад

Absolutely fantastic camera! Although I agree that relatively slow autofocus and heavy weight bring discomfort. Got this system last year and have been happily shooting for personal and commercial purposes since then. Could you please specify the name of the photographer you mentioned in this video? Just couldn't get it because of my mediocre listening skills, sorry. Love your content, cheers from St.Petersburg, Russia!

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Jose Villa Love this camera!! Jose Villa I believe is who I mentioned.

@DustinFrancis 4 года назад

Nice review man!!!

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Thanks so much. I appreciate you checking it out.

@tristanasT 4 года назад

cool camera with amazing Zeiss lens

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

That lens is unmatched!

@misscheer4eva 4 года назад

Tony Wodarck hasselblad also uses Zeiss lenses all of mine for my 500El are zeiss lenses

@thegracewolfe 3 года назад

Which is better for beginner wedding/portrait photography? C645 or Mamiya 645 AFD ii

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

Grace W. Contax is an expensive system to invest in. I’d recommend the Mamiya and if you outgrow it try the Contax.

@user-xh4yz7ml6u 4 года назад

Hello, the teacher has always wanted to buy this machine. Which one is better than Mamia rz67? How about 645 focusing system?

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Matters what you're going for. The Contax 645 gets you more frames per roll but is much more expensive and you get smaller negatives. The ergonomics of the Contax are much more comfortable to use than the RZ67, but the RZ67 with a 2.4 lens produces some incredible results. Both are great cameras but I would say if you're shooting a wedding or for long periods of time, the Contax makes more sense. If you're shooting less, landscapes and fewer portraits, the RZ67 is a great choice.

@paulbutenko5347 4 года назад

Not a replacement for medium format, but the Canon 85 1.2 and 50 1.2 do a great job with bokeh - and they work with hassle-free Canon DSLR’s and mirrorless...I bought a Canon EOS 3 just so I can shoot these lenses on 35mm film. Wondering how many clients would actually be able to tell the difference (meaning not photography knowledgeable clients). I want to purchase a medium format kit - but haven’t decided which yet. Considering renting the Contax 645 - but afraid that I’ll like it, then I’ll have to buy it!

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Paul Butenko 100% both great lenses. I am obsessed with my Canon 85 1.4Lis and have an EOS 3 to use it as well. I’d say the majority of my clients wouldn’t notice the difference in any of the nuances that I or we obsess on. But this is my passion and what I love to critique and strive to improve. I’d definitely recommend trying a Contax 645 if you haven’t had the pleasure yet. And yes you’ll probably want to buy one. But you need to try it. Hahahaha.

@paulbutenko5347 4 года назад

@@TonyWodarck Yes, that's what I'm afraid of! :)

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Paul Butenko have you shot medium format at all? If not, maybe try a cheaper system first. There are quite some significant visual differences in the results.

@paulbutenko5347 4 года назад

Tony Wodarck Yes, back in the 90’s I worked in the art department of corporate headquarters of Office Depot in Delray Beach. I was part of the team that was involved with image capture - we used medium format almost exclusively...first using film, then making the transition to digital (Leaf systems).

@paulbutenko5347 4 года назад

@@TonyWodarck Also, I'm looking at the older Mamiya 645 and 80mm Sekor 1.9 lens - only thing stopping me is that it's all manual focus...would be ok to start with, but don't think I'd want to do event photography without the help of autofocus (needed especially when there's movement!).

@xpy1 3 года назад

1dx all the way baby

@dr.ralphklose7667 3 года назад

Did you ever try auto exposure settings on the 645?

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

I haven’t. I do with my canon eos 3 and 1v and love it. I just prefer to use an external meter when I’m shooting medium format.

@vitaliyturovskyy9122 4 года назад

what the web page for Maxwell screen please

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

No website. Just email Bill here. maxwellprecisionoptics@yahoo.com You'll get an autoreply with info and he'll probably chat with you for a while on the phone. Lots of great info though and walks you through the options and process.

@EricFloberg 4 года назад

OH BABY! I didn't know you started a channel! But, I hate you for making me want to buy medium format now. :|

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Hahaha thanks! I can't believe you don't have a medium format camera!?! YOU NEED ONE! Maybe don't start with this system though unless you want to dump thousands of dollars from the get. Cause once you shoot with this lens, you won't go back.

@joeldidier 4 года назад

Eric! How do you know Tony? Small world haha

@EricFloberg 4 года назад

@@joeldidier Still haven't met in person yet, but we've had a bunch of interactions online haha Yeah, the wedding photo world really ain't that big

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

SO TRUE! Can't wait to meet you both in person at some point!

@MrMilanina 2 года назад

Have you considered 45-90mm zoom? I wondered if one could go with one lens only.

@TonyWodarck 2 года назад

I don’t like zooms. The magic to me happens at 2.0 with this lens.

@MrMilanina 2 года назад

@@TonyWodarck Got it, thanks. One more question, please. I see these lenses have manual aperture control. Is it really manual (the blades close as you turn) or the lens needs to be on the camera for it to works?

@TonyWodarck 2 года назад

I’m not home with my camera but I’ll check when I’m back. I’m pretty sure it’s not manual in terms of you turning the blades.

@MrPasicz 3 года назад

Hasselblad 205tcc with motor winder, 90 degree prism finder and planar 110/2 is also good alternative- maybe even better than Contax 645 :)

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

Nice! I love the work I’ve seen Brian D Smith do with that lens. I’ll have to check it out at some point.

@babatunda1849 2 года назад

might have to sell a kidney to buy one

@LennyCooke636 3 года назад

Is the Contax better than a Hassy ?

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

The contax Zeiss planar has a 2.0 80mm lens. The Hasselblad is 2.8. To me that small difference makes for so much creaminess in the photo. I prefer the Contax because of that. Much quicker and more ergonomic system too. I personally don’t like the boxy feeling and 6x6 format. The Hasselblad is probably a way better build though.

@sols9449 2 года назад

Do you only use film at weddings.

@TonyWodarck 2 года назад

No I shoot a mix of film and digital at weddings. Typically film during the day with some digital and all digital for the most part at night.

@kinopilot 2 месяца назад

Fullframe is a clever word for small format. 😂

@carlyleellis6984 3 года назад

The Contax 645 has a focal plane shutter not a leaf shutter.

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

Carlyle Ellis totally. I corrected myself in the description. Thanks for watching!

@carlyleellis6984 3 года назад

@@TonyWodarck Yes, sorry, I saw that when I scrolled down on the comments. Looks like you've had the camera about a year now...anything to add as far as drawbacks?

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

Carlyle Ellis yeah I think I’ve had it almost two years now. I absolutely love it. The 80mm 2.0 lens is unmatchable in my opinion. I’ve never had problems with my camera besides one of my film backs has scratched my negatives. I cleaned them but there’s still an issue. I got the 45 2.8 lens but rarely use it. It’s a fine lens but nothing even close to as magical at the 80mm. Overall this is an expensive system to invest in but it’s worth it if you’re obsessed with that bokeh look of the 80mm at f/2. If you don’t love shooting wide open and aren’t a fan of that focal length there are cheaper more reliable medium format systems. Overall though it’s still super fun to shoot and works amazing.

@jonathanraven5939 3 года назад

Can you give us the contact information for the Maxwell screen.

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

His name is Bill. Super good guy maxwellprecisionoptics@yahoo.com

@jonathanraven5939 3 года назад

@@TonyWodarck Many thanks Tony. Have a wonderful and safe New Year

@fangxusun1723 4 года назад

8:10, I don't think that is a leaf shutter. C645 is a focal plane shutter camera.

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

fangxu sun yep you’re correct. I added the correction into the description. Thanks for watching!

@LilioCamere 4 года назад

I think the images the camera makes are amazing but it sounds so finicky. For a camera so expensive, its sounds like it has a ton of issues.

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

That's pretty much it. It's a balance of the quality of the shot vs. the nuances of the system. So far mine has worked flawlessly though. As a hobbyist, it would be hard to justify the price, but if you're using it for paid work, I think there's a case for it for sure.

@LilioCamere 4 года назад

@@TonyWodarck That's just the thing, with the risk of potential failure, I'd more than likely not bring it on a client shoot or bring a good back up option. I can't tell if that's the pessimist in me though haha?

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

You would need a back up for sure. But gotta use your best until you have a reason not to.

@LilioCamere 4 года назад

@@TonyWodarck You're totally right! Great comprehensive review!

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Thanks so much for watching!

@anotherguycalledsmith 2 года назад

Hello, Tony, Thank you very much indeed. But why do you present your photographs on a white background? They would look so much better on black or dark grey… Lots of people have the dark UI on RU-vid anyway, these white planes are interrupting a lot. Sorry.

@TonyWodarck 2 года назад

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll try it out on my next video.

@revaaron 3 года назад

the 120mm f/4 is the best.

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

I need to try that lens. I’ve heard good things.

@Bbarm97 4 года назад

its a great camera but its electronic so kinda risky. if it was fully mechanical id buy one

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

For sure it's a gamble. I think as soon as you shoot with that zeiss lens though it's hard to not get hooked. I WISH it was fully mechanical too.

@Bbarm97 4 года назад

@@TonyWodarck oh i shoot leica lenses so im hooked on another drug :D

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

hahaha I feel you. It's why I've never touched a Leica. Looks like the most addictive drug for photographers.

@KestonMoore 4 года назад

the fact you can afford to shoot 4 images for a single image is making me feel broke😂

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

keston moore LOL. I have a well paying day job and great wedding clients that financially support this profession/hobby.

@xpy1 3 года назад

Wait that’s a film camera

@TonyWodarck 3 года назад

Hahaha yep film.

@randallstewart175 4 года назад

On AF, focus problems are almost always the user, not the camera. I seriously question whether a Maxwell screen at $400 would ever by "cost effective". Just be more careful in using the AF target spot. The vacuum back was made for use with 220 film. I've no idea what he means when he says his is modified for use with 120 film. A vacuum back would never work well with 120 film, and such modification is a total waste of money. Its normal function is to suck the 220 film to the back plate to insure flatness (and it works well at that). If you load 120 film, all you are going to do is suck the paper backing to the back plate, leaving the film to lie however it would in any event or worse - pointless. Otherwise, the Contax 645 is unquestionably the best, most technically advanced 645 SLR camera system ever made. It was also the most expensive by far. Today, a multi-lens system with the best accessories could still add up to $10k. The body is highly electronic in operation. It has a history of greater than average failures. No new parts are available, and few repairmen know anything about the camera. If you have a lot of money and can afford to loose a good part of your investment on a moments notice, it is a wonder to use. No other 645 system puts it all together like the Contax.. I can afford it, but I won't because I could get equivalent pictures from more cost-effective systems, like Pentax and Bronica Etrsi. The issues with the Contax probably flow from the fact that it was developed and sold for only a few years. By the time issues warranting correction started showing up, Kyocera had decided to drop all camera production, so had no interest in producing a de-bugged version II. Verdict: Wonderful, but not worth it.

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

I agree that the AF is amazing. However it only works on center focus. When shooting portraits, couples, moving targets, etc. it's tough to rely solely on AF and MF is quite beneficial. Which is where the benefit of a brighter, sharper, higher contrast Maxwell screen has its advantages. Whether it's worth $400 is up to the user, but I have found it very beneficial for increasing my focus rate. Could I achieve the same results with slowing down and practice, of course. And I hopefully will, but for now, having that improved screen definitely helps. As for the vacuum back, I get how it only works for 220 sucking the film and not for 120. I have seen that they make 220 inserts that don't work for 120 unless modified. What that means, I have no clue. You can see that from a reputable Contax shop here: store.procamera.us/product/contax-645-220-vacuum-film-insert-mfb-1b-ex As for the cost and all the other stuff, I agree. Wonderful, but not worth it is up to the individual. For me, I'll take the gamble and enjoy the beautiful photos along the way. Thankfully I get paid shooting photos so I can afford to get it repaired or purchase a new one if need be. Hopefully, that's not the case for a while though. Thanks so much for your in-depth feedback and for checking out the video!

@dantully3962 4 года назад

that frame rate hurts my soul lol

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Hahaha I apologize to your soul. I’m still learning.

@randallstewart175 4 года назад

A lot of his consideration of this Contax 534 system seems to be based on the Zeiss lenses, particularly the 80mm 2.8. Come on! Almost every Hasselblard 500 sold since the early 1960s mounted that lens. I use one on a medium format view camera, stripped from a Graflex XL system, circa 1967. It is matched, if not exceeded, by the similar spec normal lenses from most other producers of 645 and 6x6 systems, I except the Mamiya 645 system from this list, as most of its lenses are a cut well below its competition. The other Zeiss lenses for the Contax system are excellent, but they also have been around for years, mostly in the Hasselblad system. Most of the folks who look at a photo and declare it to be clearly superior based on taking with these Zeiss lenses are reflecting the fact that they paid close to $2k each for those lenses. By the way, The Contax lenses were made by Kyocera in Japan, not by Zeiss, but under in-factory supervision by Zeiss technicians. They really are as good as the "real deal" made in Germany, but they don't have the snob appeal.

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

Hi Randall, it's not an 80mm 2.8 it's an 80mm 2.0.

@ghosttownsentinel5288 4 года назад

Hi Randall, I had the Contax 645 with all their lenses (except for the one Variogon zoom lens in the lineup) till 2011, and I also had a Hasselblad 503CW at the same time with three of their lenses: the 50mm FLE, 80mmCF and 180mm CF and I will say, the Contax optics for some reason were superior to the German Zeiss of the Hasselblad. I myself had a hard time accepting it. The reason I shot with the Hassy was only for the love of the square format and the extra bit of resolution. The C645 lenses were magical, especially the 80mm Planar and the 120mm APO Makro Planar. But all were great, from the 35mm to the 210mm. The reason I watched this video and read the comments is to see what the general consensus is, because I am considering this system again, but apprehensive that so many years since its demise, it might be difficult to get any repairs done if something goes wrong with the body as parts get scarce. It is far cheaper to build this system now, as the prices are a lot more reasonable than they were in the yearly 2000's. Hasselblad is a great system but Contax 645 paled it in comparison in my experience.

@TonyWodarck 4 года назад

@@ghosttownsentinel5288 I appreciate the insight. Thanks for watching and commenting. I haven't done a direct comparison Hassy to Contax but Contax 80/2 compared to every lens I've ever tried, it wins. Just love the look of that thing.

@chumleyk Год назад

"Hasselblad" "entry-level" Dude, tell us you have no clue about cameras without actually telling us. You were also just looking at the listings for the BODIES only. No lenses, backs and viewfinders. Hahah. Dopey.

@TonyWodarck Год назад

That’s me. Just a film dope. Thanks for watching.